Posted on November 11, 2024
The City of Niterói is making significant strides in the dredging works at São Lourenço Channel, a project considered the largest of its kind in Brazil. The dredging is expected to be completed in 15 months, with a total of 1.6 million cubic meters of sediment to be removed from Guanabara Bay. So far, over 183,808.40 cubic meters have been dredged. The city is investing R$ 137.5 million in the project to revitalize the naval park, port access, and fishing industry. The goal is to boost the economy of these sectors and generate approximately 20,000 jobs.
At this stage, three pieces of equipment are engaged in dredging activities near the islands of Santa Cruz, Conceição, and Mocanguê.
The São Lourenço dredging project, which has been awaited for more than 30 years, will clear sediment from the stretch of Guanabara Bay between Ilha da Conceição and the Rio-Niterói Bridge. The dredging will increase the depth (draft) from 7 to 11 meters, expand shipyard operations, boost new vessel construction, and stimulate repair and offshore activities. The dredging is tailored to the varying drafts of different areas.
“Niterói will see a real boost in its shipbuilding and fishing industries, generating jobs and income and helping drive the economy in all these sectors. It’s an important step toward revitalizing an industry that has always been a reference point for the city,” said Niterói’s Mayor, Axel Grael.
“It hasn’t been an easy task. Over the last few years, we carried out several technical feasibility studies, budget adjustments, and many adaptations to the project. We obtained the necessary licenses from the relevant authorities and engaged in numerous discussions with the involved sectors. We listened to their needs in order to develop short-, medium-, and long-term planning,” explained Luiz Paulino Moreira Leite, Secretary of Economic Development, the municipal department responsible for overseeing the dredging project.
Luiz Paulino emphasized that the dredging will restore Niterói’s position as a critical hub for shipbuilding. Port activities are also expected to increase, bringing in more revenue for the municipality.
“We are already receiving information that various sectors are heating up and preparing to expand their operations. Major industry players have secured additional contracts with energy technology companies to deliver flexible pipe systems and associated services in several pre-salt fields. We are on this offshore route and moving forward,” Luiz Paulino added.
Project Funding and Execution
The City of Niterói initially invested R$772,000 in preparing the Environmental Impact Study (EIA/RIMA), which was submitted to the State Institute for the Environment (INEA). After reviewing and issuing the necessary permits, the National Institute for Hydrographic Research (INPH) presented the findings to federal government agencies. After completing the required bureaucratic procedures with regulatory bodies like the Navy and the Port Captaincy, the dredging work began in July of this year.
One of the critical dredging machines used during this phase, the Kenford dredger, has a capacity of around 3,000 cubic meters, measures 81.8 meters in length and 14 meters in width, has an 800-millimeter suction pipe, and can reach speeds of 11.1 knots, or 20.55 km/h.
Another critical piece of equipment, the Clamshell dredger, works attached to a barge and removes submerged soil at depths of up to 50 meters. The Clamshell has a capacity of 9 cubic meters per lift. The dredger is operated by a crew that lowers the buckets to the bottom of the channel to excavate and retain the material before it is raised. The system is supported by TS12 barges, where the material is transferred into a tank with a capacity of 1,400 cubic meters.
All dredged material from the Kenford and Clamshell machines is transported by sea to an offshore disposal site designated by INEA.
Consórcio Fluminense Leads the Dredging Project
The Consórcio Fluminense is carrying out the dredging work. The consortium, which includes the companies DTA Engenharia Ltda, was awarded the tender. and SK Infraestrutura Ltda. The consortium has previously completed work in other locations, such as Ilha Comprida (SP) and Balneário Camboriú (SC).
Environmental and Social Considerations
The study for the São Lourenço Channel dredging considered the local geology, including soil analysis, underwater noise levels, water quality, and chemical and microbiological composition. It also evaluated the use and occupation of urban land, including residential, commercial, service, leisure, industrial, and public areas. Socio-economic factors such as income levels, employment, and demographics in the surrounding regions were also taken into account.
Future Plans for Niterói’s Port and Fishing Sector
Once the dredging is completed, the city plans to revitalize the Niterói Fishing Terminal, transforming it into a Fishing Hub using existing space and infrastructure. The federal government originally inaugurated the terminal 10 years ago, but it has never been operational. The city has already signed an agreement with the Ministry of Fisheries and assumed space management.
